Your chances:
Congratulations! With a German university degree and a binding job offer, you have a good chance of working and living in Germany.
Have you left Germany after completing your university studies and are now living abroad?
As a citizen of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the USA, you do not require an entry visa to enter Germany. As soon as you are in Germany, within 90 days you must apply for a residence permit for the purpose of qualified employment, before taking up employment in Germany.
However, if you want to start your job shortly after entering Germany, you may want to apply for an adequate visa before entering the country. You can apply for a work visa for qualified professionals or under certain conditions, for the EU Blue Card at the responsible German embassy in your country.
The following information might help you with your visa application:
- At a glance: Work visa for qualified professionals (PDF)
- Checklist for qualified professionals (PDF)
Tip: In order to shorten your immigration process, your future employer may pay to launch an fast-track procedure for skilled workers. You may want to inform him or her about the possibility.
You have completed your university studies and now live in Germany?
If your new job starts directly after completion of your university studies in Germany, you may apply for a change of residence permit at your local foreigners authority. Find out about the requirements for an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for the purpose of qualified employment in the EU Blue Card section or the work visa for qualified professionals section.
